The two most important issues presently before the American people are ''Obamacare'' and the investigation of ''Fast and Furious''. Both issues remain unresolved. I will summarize where we are on both now, and what potential means for resolution exists. 1. Obamacare's 'Constitutionality' hinged largely on the law's individual 'mandate' to purchase health insurance (never mind the other 2,000 + pages). The Supreme Court's recent decision found the mandate legal as a 'TAX'. This 'mandate' defined as a TAX, sets the stage for a future Senate vote under a process called 'reconciliation'. Reconciliation is normally used to facilitate resolution on budgetary items which includes taxation. This means that Obamacare could be defeated with a simple majority vote in the Senate (51 instead of 60 votes).

Questions….what mechanism is required to make sure this gets to the floor for a vote? Because the IRS enforces the ''penalty'' for non-compliance, does this define the mandate as a tax? 2. The ''Fast and Furious'' investigation has barely begun. The House of Representatives voted to find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. This authorized US Attorney Ronald Machen to bring the case against Holder before a Grand Jury. Can you guess who US Attorney Machen's boss is? (Holder). Couple this conflict with the President's assertion of executive privilege over the documents subpoenaed, and it's clear to see that we've arrived at exactly nowhere. Congress could have jailed Holder until they received the documents subpoenaed, but that action would have proved fruitless as Obama would have declared executive privilege over them, as he ultimately did. If the case continues, resolution would only be likely in the civil court arena. Holder will be protected by Obama which would include a pardon in the unlikely event that this became an option. Questions….Where is the justice and who speaks for Agent Brian Terry and his family? If there is nothing to hide, why the hiding?

Mayor Sullivan supports Taxpayer Protection Act, encourages Assembly to place issue on the April ballot

"I recently announced my support for the Taxpayer Protection Act, a proposal introduced by Assembly member Chris Birch that would amend the City Charter to clarify how the tax cap is calculated.

The tax cap was designed to protect taxpayers from potentially dramatic swings in taxation from year to year. The Taxpayer Protection Act ensures that the tax cap's original intent is maintained and citizens are protected from a government always looking for "more." I strongly urge Assembly members to allow this critically important issue to be decided by the voters who are at government's mercy when it comes to property taxes.

The tax cap was intended to limit how much property taxes could increase from one year to the next by using a "base" to calculate the next year tax cap. For 23 years the "base" was the amount of property taxes collected the prior year, which protected taxpayers against a dramatic upswing in taxes the next year.

In 2006, the previous administration changed how the tax cap was calculated by using a higher number for the base-the amount of property taxes that could have been collected instead of the amount actually collected. Using this higher number guaranteed a higher tax cap and exposed taxpayers to the potential of dramatic increases in property taxes, which was contrary to the tax cap's intent.

The Taxpayer Protection Act clearly states that the amount of taxes collected is the base for calculating the tax cap. This means that when the amount of property taxes to be collected is less than what is allowed under the tax cap, the lower amount is used as the base.

The record:

From 1983 to 2005, the lower amount was used as the base.

From 2006 - 2009, the higher amount that "could have been collected" was used as the base. During these years the tax cap was artificially inflated by $76 million.

Now the lower amount is used to calculate the tax cap.

The ordinance must be approved by the Assembly in order to appear on the April ballot. A vote is scheduled for the Feb. 1, 2011 Assembly meeting. You can contact your Assembly members and let them know your opinion on the issue."